Dennison to UF

Lopez's Dennison to swim at UF

DAYTONA BEACH -- You want to talk pressure? George Dennison felt like a college scholarship to the University of Florida was riding on his performance at the state swimming meet two weeks ago.

Dennison, a senior at Father Lopez, had been talking to Gators coaches for months, as he hoped to continue the long line of recent area swimmers heading to Gainesville.

But it wasn't until he performed so well at the Class 1A states, snaring two top-five finishes, that UF coach Gregg Troy officially offered Dennison a scholarship.

This week Dennison happily accepted.

"It's so exciting because that's where I've wanted to go for a long time. The chance to swim with all those great guys is incredible," Dennison said. "I can't wait to get into that pool at (the O'Connell Center) and chase those guys."

Dennison will become another member of Steve Lochte's Daytona Beach Speed team to swim in Gainesville. Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte, Devon Lochte, Matt Norton, Rex Tullius, Sara McLarty and Dustin McLarty all have competed or are currently competing for the Gators.

Dennison was The News-Journal Swimmer of the Year as a junior last year, and placed fourth in the 100 free and fifth in the 200 free this year at states